The Google Certified Educator program offers the chance for teachers to gain practical PD while earning a badge to demonstrate their edtech expertise. Are you interested in becoming a Google Certified Educator? This is a great way to demonstrate your proficiency in using Google tools for education, as well as your commitment to using technology to enhance teaching and learning. In this blog post, we will go over the steps to becoming a Google Certified Educator, as well as some tips and resources to help you along the way.
What is a Google Certified Educator?
A Google Certified Educator is someone who has demonstrated that they have a level of mastery using a wide variety of Google edtech tools in teaching and learning environments. With the Google Certified Educator certificate, you can stand out as a leader, and expand your impact to other educators and their students.
Steps to become Google Certified Educator?
Step 1: Choose Your Level
The Google Certified Educator program offers two levels of certification: Level 1 and Level 2. Level 1 focuses on the basics of using Google tools in the classroom, while Level 2 covers more advanced topics such as data analysis and collaboration. Before you begin the certification process, decide which level is right for you based on your experience and comfort with Google tools.
Step 2: Study and Prepare
Once you’ve chosen your level, it’s time to start studying and preparing for the certification exam. Google offers a variety of resources to help you do this, including online training courses, study guides, and practice exams. Some of the best resources include:
- Google for Education Training Center: This is a free online platform that offers self-paced training courses on various Google tools and topics. The courses are organized by level and include videos, tutorials, and quizzes to test your knowledge. You can access the Training Center here: https://edu.google.com/training/
- Google for Education Certification Exams: These are practice exams that simulate the format and content of the actual certification exams. Taking these exams can help you identify areas where you need to improve and get a feel for the types of questions you’ll be asked. You can access the practice exams here: https://edu.google.com/certification/practice-exams/
- Google for Education Certified Educator Study Guides: These are PDF documents that provide an overview of the topics covered on the certification exams, as well as tips for preparing and taking the exams. You can access the study guides here: https://edu.google.com/certification/resources/
Step 3: Register and Take the Exam
Once you feel confident in your knowledge and skills, it’s time to register for the certification exam. You can do this through the Google for Education Certification website: https://edu.google.com/certification/. The exams cost $10 each and can be taken online at any time. You’ll have 180 minutes to complete the Level 1 exam and 240 minutes for the Level 2 exam.
During the exam, you’ll be asked a series of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions. You’ll need to demonstrate your ability to use Google tools effectively in the classroom, as well as your understanding of best practices for teaching with technology.
Step 4: Maintain Your Certification
Congratulations! Once you’ve passed the exam, you’ll receive a Google for Education Certified Educator badge and certificate. This certification is valid for three years, after which you’ll need to renew it by taking the current version of the exam. To maintain your certification, you should also continue to stay up-to-date with Google tools and best practices for teaching with technology.
How Do I Prepare for the Google Certified Educator Exam?
Google for Education provides a robust training center with fundamental and advanced training options that are offered at no cost to test takers. The current training topics at the fundamental and advanced levels are:
Fundamental Training
- Get Ready to Use Technology in the Classroom
- Expand Your Access to Help and Learning
- Have a (Mostly) Paperless Classroom
- Save Time Communicating
- Organization Activities for Yourself and Others
- Bring Meetings Online
- Bring Student Work Online
- Measure, Understand, and Share Student Growth
- Teach Students Online Skills
- Build Interactive Lessons
- Captivate Your Class with Video
- Facilitate Group Work
- Promote Digital Citizenship and Positive Online Behavior
Advanced Training
- Promote and Model the Effective Use of Digital Tools
- Leverage Learning Models to Personalize Learning
- Use Advanced Features to Optimize Workflow
- Connect with Guardians
- Analyze and Interpret Student Data
- Organize Your Class and School Materials More Effectively
- Design Interactive Curricula
- Teach Beyond the Four Walls of Your Classroom
- Harness the Power of Google for Research
- Give Students a Voice
- Student Agency
Tips for Success
Here are some tips to help you succeed in becoming a Google Certified Educator:
- Set a study schedule: Determine how much time you’ll need to study and create a schedule that works for you. Break down the material into manageable chunks and focus on one topic at a time.
- Practice, practice, practice: Use the Google tools as much as you can, both in your personal and professional life. The more you use them, the more comfortable and confident you’ll be.
- Connect with other educators: Join online communities or attend local events to connect with other educators who are also pursuing certification. They can provide support, advice, and encouragement along the way.
- Take your time: Don’t rush